Jsm 6335f

The qualitative composition analysis of beads was performed with JEOL JSM-6335F (JEOL Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) with accelerating voltage 15 kV, Working Distance (WD) = 15 mm. Air dried cross-sectioned beads were moulded into the epoxy resin in a gelatinous capsule. The resin was allowed to cure at RT for 24 h. Trimming was performed with a microtome. After trimming, the sample was sputtered with platinum and a fresh surface exposed by slicing a thin layer off of the surface with the microtome. A spot analysis was taken with a COMPO image detector from two places representing different phases of the sample denoted as shades of lighter and darker grey.
The cross-section analysis of beads was performed with LEO Gemini 1530. A Thermo Scientific Ultra Silicon Drift Detector (SDD) equipped with secondary electron backscattered electron and In lens, detector was used. The chitosan-cellulose hydrogel beads were frozen in liquid nitrogen and were lyophilized. The beads were further cross-sectioned, coated with carbon and analyzed. The magnification of the images corresponds to a Polaroid 545 print with the image size of 8.9 × 11.4 cm².

For scaffold fabrication, 355–600 µm microspheres were loaded into a 5 mm×10 mm stainless steel mold and compressed with a piston to achieve desired packing. The mold was heated at 90°C for 90 minutes to melt sinter microspheres together at their intersection points. Scaffolds were allowed to cool to room temperature slowly and then removed from the mold. Scaffolds fabricated for in vitro experiments were cut in half (5 mm×5 mm) using a microtome blade. Scaffold morphology was assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) using a JEOL JSM-6335F (JEOL Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) as described previously [17] (link). Scaffolds were stored under desiccant until further use. Immediately before being utilized for in vivo and in vitro experiments, scaffolds were sterilized to prevent contamination by being submerged in 70% ethanol, washed with ddH₂O, and exposed to UV light.